MINERS’ COMPLAINT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9337, 5 January 1909, Page 5

MINERS’ COMPLAINT.

THAMES MINERS EXAMINE!). Press Association. Thame's, January 4. Regarding the difficulty as to the medical fexamination of miners in view of the Workers’ Compensation Act so far as tne local" position is concerned the companies insist on the men being examined. In some oases 'no definite instrnotious have been issued, bat managers are not likely to accept the responsibility of dispensing with medical examination in view of the almost unanimous desire of mining companies that medical examinations are to be held. In some cases men have taken time by thejforelock and have already been examined, and armed with their medical certificates w s ill commence work forthwith. In the case of those who have been or will be found to be suffering from miners’ complaint in the Thames, of whom there mnst be a considerable number, the men must perforce-wait for the return of the Stipendiary Magistrate before they can; secure the exemption neceaary. It is anticipated any trouble will arise locally as the Union being outside the Miners’ Federation any mandate issued by that body has no bearng on the local position.

MR MILLAR’S VIEWS. In connection with the miners’ trouble Me Millar,speaking to a Post reporter, said “ the Government can do absolutely nothing in the matter, it is a question purely between the owners and the men. The men are practically asking Government to give a blank cheqne to every miner in the country who is suffering from disease. We "could not do that without the authority of Parliament.” VIEWS OP INSURANCE COMPANIES. It has been stated by Mr O’Regan, legal representative of the West Coast Miners, that when the Compensation Bill was before the Laboar Bills Committee last session, representatives of the Ocean Accident Company stated that no increase in the premiums would be required, whilst Mr Richardson (the Government Insurance Commissioner) assured the Committee that t»ie increase need not exceed TJfj, or. at most, 10 per cent. But the companies have not followed this reasonable lead, and have made much of the mysterious special disease. The evidence subjoined does not bear out this assertion, as it is evident the increases referred to as necessary by witnesses do not include liability for Miners’ complaint. Mr 0. M. Montefiore, general manager of the Ocean Accident and Guarantee Corporation, Ltd., said; — ‘‘Section 9 (compensation for certain diseases): There should be a provision made—l do not know whether there is, latei on—for the medical examination of these men. A man joining a friendly society has; to undergo a medical examination, as does a man who wishes to insure Mis life, and in cases like this, whe r e the benefits are [larger, it seems to me that there should be an arrangement whereby, if a man claims on account of a disease,*the employer should have the [right to ascertain whether the man was sound when he first'employed him. Hon. Mr JMillarr-As a matter of fact, the only diseafe here which is known to exist ,in New Zealand to any extent is pneumoconiosis, which is caused by the dust in a quartz mine?

Witness: Yes. CHon. Mr Millar: OoaJ,-dust does not bring about pneumoconiosis, which only exists in quartz mines in one'or two instances; it can be prevented by a jet cf water used to keep the dust down?—Yes. Later on, the Minister said : But there are a number of industries in which the passing of this Bill would extent increase the premiums? Mr Montefipre replied : With regard to the miner’s disease, I do not think it would cause a great increase in the premiums, provided that before the men were employed they were medically examined. Ido not think there would be many new cases. The majority of such oases is where men have come from "other partfs suffering from complaints. The chief feature, of course, is the increase in the amount from £BOO to £SOO. The following is from the evidence of Mr J. H. Richardson, Government Accident Insurance Commissi oner “Hon. Mr Millar; The employers of workers provided for under this Act will pay a maximum increase of 10 per cent, on existing premiums? “Witness: I think so; subject to this: ( that as we go along, apart from anything in the Aot, it may be. necessary to lower or raise the premiums as we gain experience; but I do not think anything in this Bill will increase the premiums by more than 10 per cent, except in connection with the miners’ risk of pneumoconiosis. I cannoc say what will be the effect of that. The rates of miners may or may not be more than ordinarily affected by that particular disease.”